Jim Schwartz says it's time for Browns LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah 'to not leave the field'

BEREA — Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was not on the field for the Browns defense on the Chicago Bears' final Hail Mary throw. That was a change from their previous one at the end of the first half.

Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said Thursday the reason for that was because of the personnel packages the Browns were in for each one. They were in a zone on the first one, while the last play was a dime package.

Schwartz also said it may be the last time Owusu-Koramoah isn't on the field for a defensive play — at least while the game remains in doubt.

"It's time for him not to leave the field for us, you know what I mean?" Schwartz said. "It's going to be a little bit more ask of him, but he's up for it and he's an impact player for us. And I've been really proud of the progress that he's made."

There have been various moments since the linebacker was selected in the second round (No. 52 overall) of the 2021 draft out of the University of Notre Dame he's flashed the immense potential that made him one of the draft's most intriguing — if undersized — prospects. However, there have been various reasons — mostly injury-related — why it hasn't completely translated over a full season.

This season, however, it's been different. There's been a consistency to his performance that goes hand in hand with his own personal maturation as well as ability to stay on the field.

Owusu-Koramoah has already played a career-high 636 defensive snaps this season, which is 38 more than what he played in his entire rookie season. He's appeared in all 14 of the Browns' games this season, the first time he's played through Week 15 at any point of his career.

"I think in some sense, every player has a developmental — or has those developmental steps," Owusu-Koramoah said. "I think that's a part of the game. It's a game of experience, it's a game of knowledge. It's a game of IQ. And the more that you get time and the more intensity that you put into it each and every year, I think that each player continues to improve.

"Whether you see it physically or mentally, whatever that may be, you do see a progression. I don't think it's one thing over another, but I think it's that holistic journey of bringing intensity to the steps that are needed to take each and every year."

Owusu-Koramoah was near his best Sunday against the Bears. He recorded six solo tackle, two tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, two passes defensed and a quarterback hit over 63 defensive snaps.

Beyond the surface-level numbers, though, were also four quarterback pressures by Owusu-Koramoah, according to Pro Football Focus. That's a season high for him, and pushed his season total to 13.

Schwartz's scheme has create more of those opportunities for Owusu-Koramoah, who came into the season having had a combined 16 total over his first two seasons in the league. He credits both the scheme and the defensive line for the chances, since he's reluctant to give any credit to himself.

"I'm not just that type of guy," Owusu-Koramoah said. "I would rather give those credits to other people. And it's not just sense of being humble. I think that it really does revolve around those people. If Coach Schwartz doesn't call that play, I probably won't be able to be in that position. If the D-line doesn't press and reset the line of scrimmage, then I got three guys in front of my face. So, yeah, that's what I'll answer to that."

The Browns played the Chicago game without middle linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., who was ruled out hours before kickoff with a knee injury. That required Sione Takitaki to play 71 of 73 defensive plays in the game, while also impacting Owusu-Koramoah in some packages, especially on third down and in end-of-game settings like the last Hail Mary.

Schwartz, though, said Thursday he's confident as the Browns head into the final stretch run toward the playoffs, starting Sunday at the Houston Texans, that will change dramatically.

"His step as a young player was sort of mastering his own position first, and he had a little bit of ups and downs, but he was making good progress," Schwartz said. "He’s played at a really high level the last month or so, and we’ve made a big point to try to get him more on those things.

"It puts more on his plate having to do techniques that he hasn’t done before, lead the huddle, do those kind of things that he hasn’t done before."

Chris Easterling can be reached at ceasterling@thebeaconjournal.com. Read more about the Browns at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/browns. Follow him on Twitter at @ceasterlingABJ

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Jim Schwartz says Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah ready to stay on field